Catedral Alta Patagonia (sometimes referred to as Cerro Catedral or Bariloche) is a large ski resort in the Andes mountains of Patagonia in western Argentina. The mountain is within the protected natural area of the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Catedral Alta Patagonia is known for some of the most dramatic scenery of any ski resort with a true ski village, craggy snow-clad peaks and spectacular views of Lake Nahuel Huapi in the valley below.
Understand
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The ski resort is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere with a skiable area if 6 km² and a trail network of 120 km of ski runs. The mountain gets its name from the granite peaks that look like the spires on a grand gothic church. The resort has 28 lifts that have a theoretical capacity of 35,000 skiers per hour, but many of the lifts are old, slow, and have ridiculously long lines. However, most visitors are relatively new to the sport and stay on the beginner or intermediate slopes while over 60% of the area is advanced and expert terrain, so once you get high enough on the mountain, you can make quite a lot of runs per hour.
Terrain
[edit]The difficulty of trails at Cerro Catedral is about 15% beginner, 60% intermediate, 20% advanced, and 5% expert. A terrain park is available for snowboards.
The tree skiing is good at Catedral and experts have a range of alpine off-piste options as well as lift-accessed backcountry chutes and bowls. The resort can also serve as a lift-served gateway to various backcountry zones outside the resort boundaries and there's even the possibility of hut touring.
Get in
[edit]From anywhere in Argentina or Chile, you will want to go to Bariloche (officially San Carlos de Bariloche, but nobody ever calls it that).
By air
[edit]The nearby city of Bariloche has a modern airport with frequent direct flights from Buenos Aires on Aerolineas Argentina or on Flybondi. Bariloche is also served by Gol and LATAM from São Paulo. From the airport, it is about 20 km to the ski resort. Local buses serving the resort are available, though most travelers with ski equipment will find it easier to use a taxi. If you choose to rent a car, the road is paved all the way.
By bus
[edit]From downtown Bariloche or from the bus terminal, you can take the local MiBus Route 55 and 55B direct to Cerro Catedral. The ride takes 35 minutes. Buses run hourly with the first bus departing Bariloche at 07:00 and the last bus departing Cerro Catedral at 21:00. Be sure to check schedules locally as they likely change seasonally. There are two bus stops: one directly in front of the main lodge, the other on the access road at the turnoff into the ski village.
- 1 MiBus stop. Stop at main lodge.
- 2 MiBus stop. Stop on access road.
By car
[edit]From downtown Bariloche, drive west along the lakeshore on Av. Ezequeiel Bustillo until you come to a turnoff on the left marked Acesso Cerro Catedral. Follow that road about 12 km to the ski resort parking areas.
- 3 Parking, Acesso Cerro Catedral. Large parking lot next to the main ski lodge.
Get around
[edit]
Walk, ski or ride a snowboard. A network of lifts criss-crosses the mountain, providing access to the peaks. A local bus service provides access to the nearby town of Bariloche. Some hotels provide shuttle service to and from the main ski lodge.
See
[edit]Do
[edit]- ski
- snowboard
- cat ski
- spa
During the summer, Cerro Catedral is a popular area for hiking and mountain biking. Lift service to the summit is available for hikers who'd rather walk down than up.
- 1 Cerro Catedral Base Lodge, Acesso Cerro Catedral, ☏ +54 29 4440 9000. Daily 09:00-17:00. The main lodge provides all skiier services, including lift ticket sales, equipment rentals, ski school course signup, lockers, rest rooms, and food services.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]There are not many independent restaurants in the ski village (Villa Catedral), however, most hotels serve food and drink and there are places on-mountain where you can get food and drink. Some guests go to Bariloche for dinner or nightlife because the selection of restaurants is much wider (and often more affordable).
- 1 Don Aurelio, Carlos Bustos, Acceso a Cerro Catedral, ☏ +54 294 446 0495. Rustic mountain lodge serving pizzas, empanadas, grilled lamb and other dishes. Serves wine and beer, including some artesanal craft beers. AR$2500.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Berlina (in the ski village near main lodge), ☏ +54 294 446 0022. M-Th 12:00-20:00, F-Su 12:00-00:00. Brewpub and outdoor beer garden serving local artesanal craft beers and light food including pizza, empanadas, sandwiches and more.
Sleep
[edit]
In addition to the on-mountain lodging options shown here, a wide range of hotels at all price levels is available in nearby Bariloche (which is accessible by public bus service or taxi). Bariloche hotels could be a good choice for the traveler who wants a wider range of restaurants, nightlife, and cultural activities while saving money over high resort hotel costs.
- 1 Pire Hue Lodge, Cerro Catedral, ☏ +54 11 4807 9212. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Rustic mountain lodge with comfortable, clean rooms and ski-in/ski-out slopeside location.
- 2 Village Catedral Hotel, Avenida Carlos Bustos 9774, ☏ +54 29 4471 4242. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 10:00. Modern facility with large, comfortable rooms. On-site heated swimming pool and jacuzzi. 200-meter walk to Amancay lift. US$155.
- 3 Hostería del Cerro, Del Alto 712 #8400, ☏ +54 29 4446 0026. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Budget lodge with rustic wood decor. Rooms are spacious but have outdated amenities and some maintenance issues that cry out for updates and renovation, however with rates that are a fraction of other nearby properties, luxury should not be expected. US$55.
- 4 La Finca, La Hoya 420, ☏ +54 92 9445 94422. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 10:00. Friendly, rustic hostel with comfortable rooms and semi-private bathrooms. Game room, jacuzzi, and outdoor pool on-site. Easy walk to lifts.
- 5 Altos del Catedral, Punta Nevada 177, ☏ +54 91 1329 81166. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00. Cabins with kitchens and fireplaces, 300-meter walk to ski school and lifts. Jacuzzi tub available. Cramped, inadequate on-site parking lot.